Gas chromatographic separation of sterols and its clinical application

Abstract

Gas chromatographic analyses of closely related sterols of biological interest and unsaponifiable matter in human plasma have been performed. The structural changes in the sterol molecules are correlated to their order of elution and in separation factor on a polyester and 2 silicone polymer columns. Because of the low separation factor and difficulties in preparing the columns with high plates efficiency, complete resolution of closely related sterols could not been achieved. By the use of a column made of neopentylglycol adipate, cholesterol was separated from coprostanol, Δ7-cholestenol and desmosterol.Sterol patterns in the chromatograms obtained from normal and pathologic plasma have been compared and considerable quantities of desmosterol have been demonstrated in plasma from patients treated with MER-29.Occurrence of thermal decomposition products from sterols was studied using a neopentylglycol adipate column.The use of a suitable combination of columns with high plates efficiency will result in the resolution of sterols of biological interest and open the way to the more wide use of gas chromatographic technique for clinical work. © 1964 Oxford University Press.